Sam's Trains FOULED By Aliexpress | The Worst Loco Ever

[@sirrliv]

What you've got there, mate, has been a staple of American starter layouts for over 70 years. Alongside the 0-4-0 Docksider saddletank, it is probably the most common first locomotive bought for children just getting into the hobby. There's been a few versions and makes through the years; Athearn, Model Power, Tyco. It's cheap, it's nasty, but it's how 99% of us got started. Edit: 80 bloody quid for that?! Were you drunk? Did you lose a bet?

[@chugwaterjack4458]

My Varney Docksider "Little Joe" could pull about eight streamline cars around my layout. The addition of some of Walthers' lost-wax castings really dressed it up (in my imagination).

[@bobjohnston9154]

My first loco back around 1960. It was yellow, an Athearn I think

[@Skasaha_]

The majority of the cost was probably shipping, given the list price he found was 37.

[@anthonymiller8979]

I wonder how many also got totally dismayed with model railroading after trying one of these and never went any further in the hobby

[@paulstubbs7678]

@@anthonymiller8979 That brings back memory's from my childhood of trains that would not start, and when finally coaxed, just flat out, then guaranteed to derail.

[@goober239]

Hey! I have an idea. Instead of destroying the locomotive, you can use it as a scrap scene and set it up in a boneyard. Superglue the axles and make it look all rusty and abandoned, maybe with scrappers cutting away at it.

[@CommanderCalico]

Excellent Idea. If I get a locomotive that STINKS, I can just use it as a scrap scene.

[@Trent_The_Trainiac]

I was just going to say that too

[@alexanderstrubeck6253]

I’ve got one of these in a Pennsylvania Railroad livery. After 20+ years of use it still runs like a champ

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey that's good to hear - what brand was that under?? Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@dannagy546]

​@SamsTrains back in the day, the original model was a rubber band drive all wheel drive. Originally came out in the 60s I believe. They were cheap models but the original band drive models were insanely fast, often derailing at full speed and flinging themselves across the basement

[@alexanderstrubeck6253]

@@SamsTrains It’s under the Model Power brand like the one in your review. I’d say it’s from the 80’s and was handed down to me from my brother. Apart from the rear coupler being broken it’s in very good condition. It does stink up the room after I run it for a while

[@batmangamer3122]

​@@dannagy546the Athearn Hustlers were amazing, I turned mine into a Railroad drag racer!

[@nimbus7727]

@@batmangamer3122 oh that sounds hysterical! Did you add any flame decals?

[@SueBobChicVid]

Hornby says," Thank you, AliExpress!"

[@SamsTrains]

hahahaha!!

[@Alpha-oo8]

@@SamsTrains oh this is funny, for some reason Sam’s laughter gave me a google prompt to translate it to English, and clicking on it simply capitalised the “H” in hahahahaha!

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

@@Alpha-oo8hahahaha!!

[@Gatherleymodeller.]

很好！

[@user-d8t5789]

@@SamsTrains make the motor fail!

[@trr94001]

Oh, this is a fascinating one. The tooling is from the 1960s (at the latest) and was originally sold by Marx. Marx was an American toy company that traditionally catered to the very bottom of the toy train market. The Marx switcher bore a striking resemblance to the even older Athearn Hustler, introduced in 1957. The Marx version has the full side skirts you see in this example. I don't remember if Model Power ever actually sold this model but they probably did. Model Power was a clearing house brand that sold rebranded merchandise from other, usually foreign manufacturers. Their very best locomotives in the 1980s were made by Mehanno, who do reasonably good work at a low price point.

[@itsconnorstime]

Sam did another video on a Aliexpress steam loco that was originally a Piko model.

[@TomPrickVixen]

@@itsconnorstime You ment 2!

[@_molls]

I got one of those!!! I got one of the OG Marx engines in a Santa Fe livery, and despite its age, still runs like a champ all these years later haha

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks a lot for sharing some background - it's a very interesting situation! I am wondering what the story behind this knock-off was! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@jballew2239]

Somewhere I have the very same "Marx" made switcher you mean, and have had it since the 70's. Yes, this looks like a very poor copy of the Marx original.

[@anthonyjackson280]

The reason for the odd 'bulb+LED' combo is that white LEDs are quite a recent development electronically. Red were the earliest to exist.

[@Finder1175]

I was appalled that the box omitted the unique feature of " creates a smell like burning scalextric and urine" and went with "extra duty" instead

[@SamsTrains]

I know... that's a feature they could've marketed! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Taggart00]

You sure did get hustled.

[@SamsTrains]

haha sure did!!

[@sarahboettcher3266]

​​@@SamsTrainsI wanted to say this is a vintage American model train also you got scamed by the guy who's selling it

[@a2020vision_official]

I will say one, tiny thing in its defense: the horn-hook coupler is supposed to spring to one side, not return to the center. That's how they stay locked together. I'm pretty sure that this is the latest incarnation in a long line of similarly cheap and nasty Hustler "models". You reviewed a rubber band drive switcher some time back which might be related to it - or maybe not, I'm not going to bother tracking that information down right now.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing - it did seem to work okay to be fair! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@alancoleman4370]

The original Hustlers were produced by Athearn with a metal chassis with an outside frame and rubber band drive on both axles. The frame was easily split to install new rubber bands. At a then USD price of 4.99 or less, these speed demons could launch themselves off the layout in any curve. When Lionel got into HO scale in the early sixties they had a gear driven version. Both featured single trumpet horns on each side of the hood., the body was a tension fit. The later cloned MP versions were / are ideed rubbish.😢😂

[@chugwaterjack4458]

I remember my Hustler and the speeds! I'd put it up against Sam's Speed trials any day. Regrettably, Athearn put the same awful drive in their F7's and GP-9's, with the resulting pulling power of a mouse.

[@KBY30]

Five bucks is about as much as this thing is worth lmao

[@nathangoshawk]

I'm glad this loco has 'opened your eyes' because, did you even look at the picture on the website? It was so clearly a piece of cheap tat; no added detail, unpainted wheels and a less than convincing appearance. I thought you were going to say that it turned out to be clockwork!

[@dexecuter18]

wonder if Sam knew this literally is the tooling of the first ever ready to run HO scale train. You can find these in the US usually for $2. Shell is pre WWII. And slight correction. Most model train wheels are nickel plated brass.

[@MS-mv3qc]

🤣🤣This has all the hallmarks of a post-bottle of red wine on a Saturday night purchase.

[@gregwilliams7354]

These are for sale at our train shows for about $5 CAD (2.88GBP)

[@DarthSantaFe]

As others have mentioned, the body was developed by toy company Marx in the 50’s. After they went out of business, the tooling went to Mehano, and they made a cheaper chassis to sell these as cheap starter models through AHM, Model Power and Bachmann. The chassis has continued getting cheaper through the years, swapping metal axles for plastic, a 5-pole motor for a 3-pole and then an even cheaper 3-pole, dropping the nickel plating, and then swapping the lead weights for zinc. Model Power was the last company who dared to sell these along with the much worse Playart 2-6-0 and other very cheap models with old tooling.

[@StormmyStormmy]

As the only real down to earth model railway reviewer who will go out of the way to bring us videos of extreme products I can wholeheartedly say I feel for you, this is a proper pants down promotion! I kind of know how you feel because I felt the same way when Hornby tucked me up a while back, what doesn’t destroy you makes you stronger, you will be rewarded in the future and look back and laugh, thanks for sharing.

[@williamnichols467]

Here’s an idea: take a long segment of straight track, set it up to go out a window, then send that piece of junk out said window at full power

[@NextEevolution]

The 'EXTRA DUTY LOCO" line, rather than 'Heavy Duty' on the box made me laugh pretty hard

[@SamsTrains]

hahaha I know!! ;D

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Should be spelled “doody”

[@kiwitrainguy]

EXTRA DUTY LOCO and only one axle is powered.

[@leewaymodels]

These are at least 30 years old.

[@SamsTrains]

Oh yeah at least - probably much more - you can tell by the look of the molding! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@karlyoung3275]

Think mid 60s originally

[@MrWolfSnack]

30? Try 60.

[@furripupau]

IIRC Model Power went out of business in 2014. They sold some decent N scale stuff, but their HO range was mostly junk that had been in production since the 1960s.

[@alcobufff]

Hi Sam! Model power went bust in 2014, much of its stock got sold off to 3rd parties before the company was bought by MRC then Lionel. That said, this locomotive, which came from Marx who were bought out by model power and was never updated, was clearly built many years before, as noted by the horn hook couplers that it came with, these went out with the early 90's and were the one exception, as well as the wear and tear on the packaging and the smell, old dried out brushes. Also, in case you were wondering when I said Lionel bought model power, remember that derailing Lionel army hospital trainset you reviewed? Yes that's right, its coaches came right from model power's catalog, with the exception of metal wheels.

[@fredashay]

That's an ancient locomotive. We haven't used those type of couplers since I was a kid. Kadee couplers have been the default for many years, even on the cheapest models. And since we don't use NEM pockets in America, they can't be replaced easily.

[@leewaymodels]

It is a model power shunter. They used to be about 25$.

[@michael32A]

Was thinking the same - I bought the steam outline equivalent, very akin to the USATC S100 switcher/shunter from WW2 but as an 0-4-0T, brand-new for roughly £15 in about 2005. The diesel outline Sam has, and the 'Plymouth' version with a lower bonnet, were listed at the same price. Aha! An old Railway Modeller magazine I have to hand shows me the UK distributor I bought that from would've been Shrewsbury Model Centre, showing "Li'l Tugger" (the steam loco), Plymouth DDT, and this Porter Hustler all listed at £9.99 plus £2 postage in August 1999.

[@chasesrailwaylinesrr6447]

the tooling was actually owned by MARX Louis toys, A company that produced budget toy trains compared to Lionel in O and HO scale

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah that's what I found too - I really got done with this one! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@SueBobChicVid]

The dark opening... lol.

[@SamsTrains]

haha!! xD

[@misterflibble6601]

Looks absolutely ancient. I would imagine Ali Express purchased some new, old stock from some forgotten warehouse. Model Power has a pretty dismal reputation here in the U.S. known for producing poor quality, unreliable (i.e. junk) rolling stock and locos

[@arrow1414]

That Model Power loco likely dates back to the early 1990s which is why the box was so beaten up. The design with modifications dates back to the 1970s, perhaps 1960s by PMI.

[@SamsTrains]

Yeah it does look like it was made years ago! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@StillPlaysWithModelTrains1956]

That looks an awful lot like an early 1960s Marx's "Hustler" switcher to me...

[@simonbaker6962]

Sam I have a box of left handed screwdrivers for sale. They are yours for the bargain price of 89.99 plus 10.99 postage and packing. A bargain!

[@chugwaterjack4458]

Do they come with the attractive odor?

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

love it

[@kiwitrainguy]

Don't forget to throw in the dehydrated water.

[@honestgbfan5324]

you forgot the "WAIT! THERES MORE!" :)

[@garysoap7925]

Good video Sam it’s a bit sad you got scammed. But for future reference I believe those couplings are known as horn hook couplings which are meant to point towards the right hand side.

[@chugwaterjack4458]

We actually called them NMRA couplers, but the Association always disowned them.

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

If it makes you feel any better, I've bought a medium-sized Sam's Trains T-shirt from the Bullman Emporium. I've chosen the sapphire blue colour. I've been wanting one for some time. Also, I've taken my first step into the N Gauge Railway world. I'm a tad nervous about handling the tiddly-fiddly track and Guard's Van I've bought from two different places. I'm afraid of causing damage by mistake. Uh, is it too much to ask if I could have a modeller's guide to N Gauge track, engines and rolling stock?

[@grrfy]

easy, Buy Kato or Tomix track

[@kellyashfordtrains2642]

@@grrfy I've already bought Graham Farish track. That's cheaper yet still 100% good quality.

[@aaronfarris2834]

Literally this embodies the whole of American model railways in the 90's.

[@davidballoid2118]

It's great of you to review a "cheap an nasty" from time to time, it shows your lighter side and gives us a chuckle or two.

[@BringMayFlowers]

Yeah, it is based off H.K. Porter's little diesel switchers of the '40s or so. They varied in various details like side rods or not, length of the frames, and stuff like that, but they were broadly similar to this. Also, a lot of them were ~3' gauge, this one is a bit unusual for being SG. It also may not be wired up backwards, a lot of switchers like that were ran cab-forward for better visibility.

[@AtticusRaabe]

Sam, most of us from America grew up with these horrid all plastic toys. You can buy them for less than five dollars in the U.S. Sorry you paid so much for such a lowly product!

[@SamsTrains]

haha I know - once I found that it was Model Power I was able to look it up... and I saw how cheap they were!! ;D

[@photoriousbig]

I don’t own any trains, I’ve never had an interest in ever having a model railway but your videos are some of my favourite on KZbin. I consider myself a collector by proxy through your account. I really enjoyed this review, made me laugh a lot

[@michaelwain3198]

Farmingdale NY (noticed on the instructions), is on Long Island and used to be the home of Republic aircraft, who made the legendary P-47 Thunderbolt in WW2 - perhaps they had railway sidings and that loco worked there?

[@kewrail5071]

What might be interesting would be a side by side comparison of that loco with the Triang Docklands shunter. From some of the other comments it would appear the designs hark from a similar period.

[@dutchbeef8920]

The Piko one which looks similar but is another survivor of that era although retains its rubber band drive

[@F40M07]

Not right after the Broadway Limited Blue Goose 😭

[@paulcaswell2813]

Can't see much difference. They're both US cr*p.

[@SamsTrains]

haha yeah - quite a contrast!! ;D

[@eshanthetrainlover8609]

Those wasp stripes look like the results of the double slit experiment if the unobserved photons were on steroids 💀💀💀

[@guyfranks4354]

That looks like a Chinese knockoff of the Athern Hustler, which had all wheel drive powered by rubber bands. The motor is mounted longitudinally with extended output shafts where the flywheels would be mounted. The rubber bands were wrapped around the shafts to drive the axles which were almost as large as the wheels in diameter.

[@BlueSteve]

When mum says: "We already have model trains at home"

[@CodysTrainz]

There is reason why its "backwards" its a mantua handdown "End Cab" switcher.

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

Model Power was a starter for kids that want to start the model train hobby

[@ROBERTNABORNEY]

And you have to wonder how many were turned off by the experience

[@XBOXShawn12thman]

@@ROBERTNABORNEY RIGHT!!!!

[@englishoat]

One of the most amusing reviews I've seen for anything. I'm half wanting a video on seeking out and comparing the worst possible "models", a sort of what is the worst that money can buy series. Thanks Sam, obviously you're not happy about being fouled but it was a great video

[@chugwaterjack4458]

I just realized...don't leave this in a room with your other locos at night. It's a CIA plant, and will convert them to 240 direct power, then start an insurrection. Then one fine morning when you walk in the train room, they'll attack you, drag you down, check your mechanism, and rate you at abut a 2.1 before eating you. We've seen this with toy soldiers in a Twilight Zone show about sixty years ago (don't bash my shaky memory).

[@borderlands6606]

I bought one in the noughties, it was £10 new. The model was regularly advertised in the UK modelling press as Bachmann USA. It's a very good runner, and great basis for customisation.

[@SamsTrains]

Blimey - I'm hearing that this has appeared under all kinds of brands!! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@borderlands6606]

@@SamsTrains On second thoughts it may have been Model Power. Bachmann USA sold a similar range of American outline diesels in the UK, that were a fraction of the price of similar British locos. The price is correct however.

[@Planestrains-d5e]

From the Blue Goose to… this. Whatever ‘this’ is. Gosh. This channel’s a rollercoaster, Sam 😂

[@StephenGrant-vv5db]

Rather than being wired backwards, is the loco intended to be operated cab first, like a British Class 08?

[@EvexiansVideoworks]

That title says that i have a cozy new video to enjoy this evening! Thank you sam for providing me with such!

[@blinard1]

I really wish you wouldnt give away how the loco is in the title. One of my favourite aspects of your videos is going on the journey, making the discoveries with you.

[@SamsTrains]

Sorry! Got to use engaging titles in order to make the channel work! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@blinard1]

@@SamsTrains i understand the reason behind it. Titles can be engaging without giving away the outcome.

[@caw25sha]

The thing is a lot of people are going to search KZbin for reviews of a particular product and if the name isn't in the title it won't show up.

[@blinard1]

@@caw25sha i dont mean the name of the product. I mean the outcome of the review. "Brilliant", "terrible" ect

[@rivergladesgardenrailroad8834]

​@SamsTrains are you sure?

[@williamsquires3070]

Sam, don’t forget to salvage the metal knuckle coupler out of this thing before you toss it; the coupler is worth more than the entire locomotive! 😅

[@caw25sha]

And the brass of course . . .

[@kiwitrainguy]

He could break it down for parts: the light bulb, the red LED, the motor, even the brass wheels could be used on non-powered rolling stock.

[@azuma892]

You should try getting one brand new. The factory is now producing them and a few other Model Power/Mantua toolings under the 韩飞火车模型 brand. If you want to subject yourself to trashy old models you can give it a search. 🙃 Factories are still producing Model Power stuff after they went out of business, don't know if they got the toolings legally or not...

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing - I'll look into that - I'd like to see what a non-knock off version is like! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@caw25sha]

The problem with buying a new one is that it's unlikely to be supplied with the interesting collection of aromas. 😆

[@karlyoung3275]

​@@SamsTrainswant me to see if my bachmann one is knocking about still

[@Dreadtower]

I use your reviews for buying choices mainly, Sam. This one however was merely splendidly funny 😂 I love the way you can’t help giggling!

[@williamj3843]

I can see the case for running cab end forward. Unfortunately they put a red LED where the headlight would be so that's a fail. I think trains are like shoes. Unless I am buying more of a brand where I am familiar with the quality and fit I'm going to want to see it in person. I agree with others who suggested dropping it on a derelict track next to a wrecking crew, so sorry about the cost.

[@Robin_The_Red_Rabbit]

9:30 They aren't made to return to the center hornhooks typically are pushed off to the side to reassure that they stay connected

[@stupidsmart-phone6911]

Sam, (American here) I wouldn't pay more than $5 for that whether I was back in 1994 or 2024. I remember getting Model Power trains at train shows for $5 or $10. Even with inflation these days, $10 max. So, all is not lost. A loco like that is best on static display on a layout at a model museum or a quiet, small park in the corner. It's almost the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree of locos.

[@TruckFan542]

Maybe rust these trains up and stack them in a scrapyard?

[@TheCyberSalvager]

As a British-outline HO scale modeller, I often look for items like this with a view to modifying these into something like a British-outline industrial shunter or similar, but yeah, this really is shoddy! It looks to me as if the model and the box didn't match, so someone somewhere must have put a damaged model into a shop-soiled box and pass it off as a new item.

[@limehuzki]

Hey! And if I want this just because I want it in my collection? Extra duty refers to an engine built specifically for double headers in shunting yards. Primarily is used to push mining trains down a branch line

[@ashraaqwahab2817]

My first model train locomotive as a child in the mid-1990s was very similar - A Hustler, albeit a red one by Athearn. All-wheel drive with the dreaded rubber-band drive system. Split chassis design, with pickup via the ends of the axles. Had plenty of enjoyment with it, though. Still remember visiting bookshops to find the smallest rubber bands available - we didn't (and still dont) have any official model train shops in Sri Lanka. Still got the loco in storage - it needs some TLC (and of course, new rubber bands), but the motor runs.

[@davidbudka1298]

Not a really prototypical model of a Porter industrial switcher (Shunter). We call them “critters” here in the States. You would have been better off buying a Bachman 44-tonner or 45-tonner.

[@PuggySD455]

Back in the mid 90's my grandma surprised me with one of these we weren't very close so I was happy to get anything from her and most of my trains at the time were cheap Bachmann, Life Like, & old Tyco so it fit right in...

[@railyardpro.3651]

So Model Power was a budget company here in the states mainly meant as toy trains for kids. Their models usually go for dirt cheap here at trainshows here. Not exactly the most high end manufacturer in the world.

[@TomPrickVixen]

I met this loco in "Atlas" and "Tyco" boxes as well, but I think it (the body) was (probably still is) an old Marx tooling from the 1960's; its similar but not identical to Athearn's "Hustler". The Atlas chassis ones are quite robust, and reliable. (maybe those were ex Athearn Hustlers?). BTW the couplers it came with are not as bad as u think, I still use those.

[@halfofacouch2397]

You can find these for literally $5 at American train shows. Maybe more maybe less based on condition or if it has a box

[@claird8991]

I got a lot of laughs out of this video, and yes I watched all the way to the end. I particularly enjoyed your use of the word 'foul', as in 'It looked foul.', 'It smelled foul.', etc. I'm just sorry it cost you so much. But I did enjoy the video, it was very funny. 😂

[@WA1LBK]

If you want to see a really hilarious version of the Hustler, look for the version Athern made sometime in the 1950’s ~ 1960’s. It had NO gearing, it used RUBBER BAND drive! The motor was mounted parallel to the locomotive frame & the armature shaft extended well beyond the motor at both ends; a small rubber band was looped around drums surrounding both axles, & twisted 90 degrees to wrap directly around the armature shaft. For a locomotive whose prototype had a to speed of maybe 20 MPH, the Athern version had a scale top speed at something like 400 MPH! 😮. I had one on my first HO layout which at the time was straight DC operation (my current layout uses DCC). It was hilarious to send it down the track at full throttle and flip the direction switch; it would skid a ridiculously long distance with the wheels spinning madly in the opposite direction until they finally got traction! 😅 I had it coupled to a Lionel HO exploding boxcar & used it as a train to amuse my cat! 😅 I would reverse the Hustler & boxcar in - & - out of a tunnel portal; the cat would perch atop the tunnel portal & swat at it until she tripped the exploding boxcar! 😂

[@chugwaterjack4458]

I "fondly" recall mine and the hear supersonic speed (down the tangents.) I used to compete with my buddy to see how far we could get our Hustlers to roll and tumble after leavng the track. Unfortunately, Athearn also used that drive in F7's and GP'9's. Heaven knows what they would have done with a steam engine.

[@johnbeck3270]

You too? I used to do the same thing with my Marx version, minus the cat.

[@benh3518]

I know at some point they made the ability to actually give the Hustler gears - an old dismantled Hustler I found in a bargain bin years ago (as in all in pieces in a ziploc bag) had a half-aborted installation of one, I bought it home and a friend fixed it up for me. It doesn't achieve mach 3 like the rubber band drives (which I also own an example of) but rather it still goes absurdly fast while also twitching and sputtering sparks all the while. I had a middle school friend who was convinced it was possessed by a demon. I love it so much.

[@AdiposeExpress]

I have one of those. As a broke college kid, I thought it would be a good idea to try and wire it for DCC. Turns out that even after somehow managing to insulate the motor (which had no wires if I recall correctly - just a split frame that was really hard to solder onto), the train would start up fine but once it started going fast it would cease to respond to DCC commands - not great on a club layout! Looking at this video, boy my standards were low back then.

[@railwayjade]

This is the type of model that you give to kids to get them started in the hobby (the horn-hook couplers also denote that). We ordered and imported these in our own custom livery from Trainworld. At the time (2005/2006) we sold it for R95 (about R260 in today's value) in Pounds that is around 7 pounds sterling at the time.

[@davidballoid2118]

After careful consideration Sam, I think what you reviewed here was a "MUTT" (AKA) "Frankenstein" because it don't look like any particular locomotive manufacture's bodywork unless it was made with spare-parts from all manufactures like EMD "the hood", GE "grill work", ALCO chassis, Fairbanks "Operators Cab".

[@timbervalleyproductions]

Wow that's dreadul! I've never seen something so bad - I'm shocked that you actually kept this!

[@sableveil]

This is definitely going on the 'Top 5 Worst Locomotives' list at the end of the year.

[@RailRide]

Is that a 3D-printed adapter coupler on the end of the accursed train?

[@markphillips5368]

I bought a second hand AHM "Milwaukee" 35-ton shunter with the same type of drive mechanism to it. It worked fine until the motor died, and to make matters worse I lost the motor pinion. I sourced a replacement pinion, which needed work to get its bore to the required diameter. and replaced the motor with a modern 21,000 rpm slot car motor. In order to fit it, I glue the old motor stator housing sides to the new motor with a small block of wood at the back, and then epoxied the unit in place. The pickup arrangement is the same as on your model, but I think the wheels are plated steel ones. It runs really well, even at low speeds, although it can lose its wagons as the rear coupler is not centering properly. I have also replaced the bulb at the front of the loco with an LED, which is controlled by a small circuit board that gives it a constant current regardless of the supply voltage. A small bridge rectifier in the circuit means the light operates regardless of whether the loco is moving in the forwards or reverse direction. Despite all of the issues I have had with it, it is running reliably, and I am happy with its performance on my small oval layout.

[@paulrb894]

I defend it. I think it's cute and looks quite nice. Poor little thing

[@dutchbeef8920]

I liked the look of it so I got one on ordered paid less than 40 pounds inclusive of taxes and shipping. Bargain!! 😂🎉

[@MontrealtrainChannel]

I have the same model but in CN version. Run great but can barely pull 3 boxcars. It will be part of a future project. Converting it to dcc,Add weight on it and make it capable to pull 7 hoppers. Simulating a little mining company shunter

[@GMLfghgjhff5633]

Great video as always, Sam! I have actually got some quite nice stuff from model power but this really is terrible!

[@ronaldthibault5010]

As others have said, this is a very old design. I had one in the 60s, as a young teenager. Why did I have it, because I did not have much money, and it was very cheep, both in price and quality. It did run though for many years. The mechanism is the same, as well as the ozone smell. At some point they added the LED, after my time. I later found out that in addition to all the above, the body is actually closer to S scale, than HO. It always loomed over my other locomotives. Mine was the skirtless version with slide in frames/bearing sides.

[@RM2206OH]

These units are usally used here in the states at industries to help move cars through loaders or loading docks because normal locomotives would be too expensive to operate or too big while some class ones like SP might of had them they were usally used in loco shops to move locomotives to other repair stations

[@MrStabby19812]

If you want to spend more money on it there's a resin conversion kit to turn it into a narrow gauge shunter.

[@josephbugaj8149]

I have a few Model Power units in my HO collection, and overall they’re pretty good starter units and they run pretty well. The little hustler unit looks to have come from the 80s. The couplers are horn hook couplers, an old style of HO coupler used in the states and most of them were not centered due to the spring in them. Much of my rolling stock and older locomotives had these and I changed them out.

[@scruffybones321]

"Make the axels plastic it'll save money" "Is it too light? Put some metal bricks inside it"

[@robertcornelius3514]

Old train collector here, and the manufactures have reached the bottom when it comes to producing good quality goods. In America, the RV manufacturers are in deep trouble too. I see no improvements on any body's part in manufacturing. Such a shame it has come to this.

[@goober239]

airstream is still a good camper product

[@AnimalsVehiclesAndMore]

The model railroad locomotives made by Model Power are, indeed, very cheap (the 0-4-0 tank engine was only a little over $20.00 when still being made, and the 0-4-0 tender engine was only a little over $40.00 while still being made) and have extremely basic detail. However, they are simple and easy to maintain, and they're very reliable runners.

[@purpleish.v]

some versions of those couplings are supposed to stay to the side. they just have that giant beam that allows the couplings to open

[@dutchbeef8920]

Its the Model Power Porter Hustler and Walthers still lists it but its not available. Evemodel lists it now for 35 quid.

[@Demun1649]

The smell is usually an indication of inferior insulation used on the motor windings. Scalextric used to smell really nasty, especially during a 6-hour race! It would be cured by installing a modern, QUALITY motor. My T-gauge can run for 2 days, at exhibitions, and doesn't smell at all.

[@benjaminmcclatchey9814]

So….. the loco was used in small switch yards and yards attached to companies. Coal power plants, lumber yards, chemical plants, grain elevators, etc. it was in used in the mid 20th century and there are a few still in use. I saw one around St. Louis lumber delivering lumber.

[@tripel7470]

Sam, its okay to admit you bought this after a night of way too much drinking at the pub😂

[@stevekovoc3939]

The shell (or body) of this locomotive is based on an old HO scale Marx diesel shunter from the 1950's/1960's. So this thing uses ancient tooling. The chassis looks a lot like those really old Mehano locos from the 70's and 80's.

[@Amarouq2]

I had one of these from about 30 years ago and there was not much difference. The 30 year old version had silver wheels, horn hook couplers (The one on the back of yours was not broken. They always skewed to one side due to the molded plastic retention spring.), a cheap motor, no headlights, but both axels were driven. Also, I think it only cost about $25 when it was purchased new. It was little more than a toy and not meant for a serious modeler in any way. I remember seeing them packed into a “my first trainset” type of box (loco, 2-3 rail cars, a circle of sectional track, and the cheapest power transformer ever produced.) Never ran it much but I do remember what did it in. One of the plastic axels snapped during one of the few times I did run it. Truthfully, it was no major loss.

[@TheElDoctoro24]

Well it runs better than most of the heljan range

[@trainfan998]

Believe it or not some of these Hustler locomotives like yours are actually pretty desirable. The locomotive doesn't have that much pulling power but that was standard of diesels of the same type in the period when it was released. Is the price that you paid you don't want to be paying more than 20 bucks for one of these, 30 if its in really good shape with its box.

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

The body looks nearly identical to a Marx HO locomotive I have from the 1960's, only the mold quality seems to be even worse! IDK how they compare in terms of performance, as mine is all gunked up from being in my great uncles basement for 40 years.

[@Barbarapape]

From Trainworld's information -: Model Power/Mantua Classics was founded in 1970 by Michael Tager and is located in Edison, NJ. Model Power/Mantua Classics carries a full line of HO and N trains, including steam and diesel locos, cars, buildings, track, figures and accessories along with O Scale accessories and mini die cast autos. For more than 50 years, Model Power has delivered quality and affordability. One of the largest collections of model railroading products available. Each year, we add new products to keep our line relevant and fresh. Model Power... where quality and affordability have found a home. I think they got the quality part a bit wrong ! They are cheap, but so is their quality, i used to buy them in bulk at very low prices in the mid 2000's. A classic example of getting what you pay for !

[@jeffsikes5312]

i have a few of those but wheel sets are metal not brass and the horn is metal and they run great even after sitting for a while.

[@SamsTrains]

Thanks for sharing Jeff - I reckon this one was made on the cheap! Thanks for watching - Sam :)

[@Neferdias]

I played with 2 or 3 of these as a kid from my dad's collection. His were rubber band driven, went super fast, and couldn't pull but 3 or 4 cars... when they worked.

[@goupigoupi6953]

My first loco was a 0-6-0 steam TT thingie made in 1966 by Tillig. Still running.

[@AntoekneeDE]

“Cut them off and grow some new ones”! Amazing. I can’t believe this thing, a 2-2-0! When you mentioned weight over the undriven axle, it’ll be there not for traction but to stop it pulling a wheelie I guess. EDIT just noticed other comments mentioning this was supposed to be elastic band to give a forward driven axle so I guess it was for traction, once upon a time. It might be cool to rework it to this condition and recognise it as an American ‘smokey joe’ entry-level loco rather than AliExpress pulling your pants down

[@IDtent33]

this was worth watching to the end, it was like so bad i had to keep going! well done and glad you did it so noone else has too.

[@itsconnorstime]

These were always advertised in Railway and Continental modeller for 10 pounds about 25 years ago. I always wondered how good they were for something that cheap.